Student Guide To Writing Essays
Be sure you have no weak points and know some fundamental secrets to success in your essay marks:
1. Know how to use the library resources and get books before
everyone else does. This will save money on buying books that you can't find.
2. Get your life ordered and take clear notes in lectures.
3. Ensure you have a good memory. If you don't, then make sure you teach
yourself the prominent points of a subject.
4. Get good at group work.
5. Know how to write essays, this includes how to reference! Get the relevant
books from the library if you need help.
6. Be good at revising if you have exams.
7. Have the ability to focus and get things done. Take accountability for your
weaknesses and turn them into strengths!
It's essential that you understand the essay question before you even attempt to answer it. If you don't understand it then go to your tutor and find out what the question is asking you to do. Often, the most vital part of the question is the beginning where it asks you, "Argue" or "Reflect" this sets the tone of how you answer the question.
One common misconception with writing essays is the amount research you have to do. It could be with some degrees you need to read every book under the sun (those at the top universities) but many of you only need to read the vital parts.
Check out the library and get your research done. Start pulling quotes from relevant books and reading round the important ideas and concepts so that you can give a full and rounded response. Ensure you get there quick before all the good books go.
This is where setting up a Facebook group for the people in your course can help. You can discuss every one of the reservations with the question, set up little study groups and so on. The structure of an essay (as you probably know) is: Introduction: Outline the main points of your essay. Main section: Discuss your research and evaluate different viewpoints. Conclusion: Sum up your main points and your main viewpoint.
Bibliography: Make sure you get all the punctuation on your bibliography right. Please consult with your tutor which referencing system you should be using (usually Harvard referencing). You'll need to draft the essay at least two or three times before it's going to be deserving giving in. If you have someone you can rely on in your class, then swap essays with them to check for mistakes. It's much easier to spot other peoples errors than it is your own. You'll then be ready to submit your essay. Good luck!
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